In 2023 we hosted our first traditional format beer mile, as per the rules and regulations set out by www.beermile.com. This event was a huge success with participants and clubs requesting we host it again in 2024 and in larger format.

Our date of the event has been pinned as Saturday 3 August 2023, and will lead up to the 10th edition of the Beer Mile World Classic locked in for Saturday, August 17th at the University of Windsor Track Stadium in Windsor, Ontario (Canada). The aim is to offer a fun day of running with a platform for runners from our area and outside to interact, and just spend a morning running and drinking beer. Let this be the first ‘race’ back after Comrades to shake out the legs. We will have music, beer and boerie rolls on sale. Club Gazebo’s, flags and fun branding welcome!

Each runner who complete the challenge (4 beers and 4 laps done) will receive a branded Draft Beer Mug.

Single Entry:

All the results of the singly entry runners will be recorded and captured on the international beer mile database, so yes, it is a competitive platform for those who would like to take a stab at the records. (see below).  There will be a R300 cash & case of beer prize for the first male and female contestant.

Team Entry:

We also decided to offer all the social running clubs, students, surrounding running clubs and even families of runner (above 18) a chance to show their talent in a team event, consisting of 4 runners. Each runner will have to complete 1 lap before handing over the next member of the team. This will be a great way to show us your team strenght, encourage team building, and for the rest to support – even dress in team attire! We will have a floating trophy for the winning team as well as 2 cases of beer. (again no 0.0% runners in team entry). The 2023 winners, Yield Athletics Club will be back to defend their trophy.

General Info:

Parking on Linden Hoërskool track will be available from the 5th street entrance.

Registration will start from 8.30am, Single entry runners will start at 9am and Teams will be at 9.30am.

Walkers welcome. We regret no under 18 contestants or dogs allowed.

Official beer for the day will be announced closed to the time. (last year we opted for Black Label due to prescribed alc. level required)

Unfortunately no 0,05% beer entries available this year.

All beer must be consumed responsibly and we urge you not to drink and drive and rather Uber home.

Beer Mile Official Rules

1. Each competitor drinks four cans or bottles of beer and runs four laps around a standard 400m running track (start with chugging a beer, then run a lap, then beer, then lap, then beer, then lap, then beer, then lap – finish).
2. Beer must be consumed before the lap begins within the transition area. The transition area is the 9-meter zone between the waterfall starting line for a mile race and the finish line of a 400m track.
3. The race begins with competitors lined up on the mile starting line, drinking the first beer in the transition zone described in the step above. This ensures competitors cover a complete mile. Competitors can walk/move in the transition area while drinking, but all beer must be consumed in the transition area before setting off to run a lap.
4. Women also drink four beers and run four laps (some past rule lists only required ladies to drink three beers).
5. Competitors must drink canned or bottled beer that is no less than 355mL (12 Oz) in volume, which is the standard can/bottle size in the USA and some other countries.
6. No specialized cans or bottles may be used that give an advantage by allowing the beer to pour at a faster rate (e.g. wide mouth bottles/cans).
7. Beer cans must not be tampered with in any manner. (e.g. no shotgunning, puncturing the can, squeezing the can, etc.). The same applies for bottles – no straws or other aids allowed that speed up the pouring process. The only action allowed is opening the can with the tab at the top or twisting off the bottle cap of a bottle.
8. Beer must be a minimum of 5% alcohol by volume. Hard ciders, hard sodas, and other alcoholic sugary drinks will not suffice. The beer must be a fermented alcoholic beverage brewed from malted cereal grains and flavored with hops.
9. Each beer can/bottle must not be opened until the competitor enters the transition zone on each lap.
10. Competitors who vomit before they finish the race must complete one penalty lap at the end of the race (immediately after the completion of their 4th lap). Vomiting more than once during the race still only requires one penalty lap at the end.
11. When attempting a performance for the official records, it is recommended to provide video evidence of the race and prove that all beer was sufficiently drank. This can be achieved by tipping the empty beer over your head after each chug to verify an empty vessel or by collecting the containers and pouring the contents into a measuring cup to prove there is less than 4oz of liquid/foam remaining total across all four beers. We recommend picking up a pack of disposable measuring cups for your next beer mile event.

For more info visit: www.beermile.com

Current Beer Mile World Records

Corey Bellemore of Canada holds the current beer mile world record with a time of 4:28.1. It was set on October 23, 2021 at the 2021 Beer Mile World Classic at Leigh Sports Village near Manchester, UK. This broke his own existing world record of 4:33 set in 2017. Corey ran 4:24 at the 2018 Beer Mile World Classic in Vancover, British Columbia, which would have shattered the world record by 9 seconds at the time, but he was disqualified for having slightly too much foam left.

Shelby Houlihan from America, set a new beer mile world record with at time of 5:43.81 in 2023 at the official beer mile world championship in Chicago. Much like the men’s 5-minute beer mile barrier that was once thought impossible a decade ago, the 6-minute barrier for women stood the test of time — until 2023. Shelby Houlihan crushed the barrier, finishing in 5:43 with a 63-second final 400m with four beers in her stomach. She ran her mile in roughly 4:25, which was quicker than most elite men covered the distance, and consumed her 4 beers in roughly 1:18.